Kindergarten Graduation

Jack graduated with his class from kindergarten today. The kids sang two songs for us after an all school mass. They got their diplomas and had donuts after. One song was to "Start spreading the news." The other was to the theme of the "Farmer and the Dell." ("We're graduating now.")

The song with, "New York, New York" except they sang, "First grade, First grade."

Jack (out of focus) getting his diploma.

Jack and Finnegan

Jack with his second kindergarten teacher, Mrs. French. I guess we like to do things in sets of three, because he will have a third kindergarten teacher next year.

Ms. Kelly watched the girls, so John and I could enjoy the ceremony. This is the first day for pony tails for them, too.

That is a lot of Girls!

Today, we had a friend come over to play. Her twins, Autumn and Alyia, are slightly older than the girls. She also has a 5 month old baby girl. We played outside and had a nice lunch. Her twins potty-trained the exact time as my girls, so at one point, while Renee was feeding the baby, I was helped all five girls go to the bathroom AT THE SAME TIME! It was an assembly line: wipe, up the pants go, wash hands, dry them...again...again...again. Her girls are so sweet and it was a fun day!

More Swimming...

We spent a long day outside today. We are having our kitchen painted, so we were playing in the basement all morning and were outside from about 11:30 until about 5 tonight. Lots of sunscreen, lots of water, sprinklers, cars, bikes, etc. What a busy bunch of kids! Our neighbors joined us again in the afternoon. We love playing with a lot of kids.

This is the third year the girls have worn these suits--from Aunt Mary or Mimi, I can't remember now. So very cute! I am so glad they fit them because we need the two piece suits with the newly potty trained girls, because when they have to go, they have to go!

Sunday--and it was a HOT one!

The day started early...quarter of five for me and 5:30 for the kids and John. I got up that early to make it to my 7AM race downtown. The others were up courtesy of Jack. John managed to load up the kids and find a spot on the race. He said they weren't coming and I wasn't even looking for them. I was so surprised and happy to see them (see pictures below). The race went well for me, despite the heat. I managed to run my best time at around and average of 8:26 minutes per mile. The rest of the day we spent outside in the pool and with the water table. It was so hot, the kids enjoyed painting/washing the cars, getting sprayed by the hose, sitting in the pool, making soups and rac-a-roni, and swinging on the swings. You can imagine that with a day like today in the sun and with their wake-up time, they were beyond tired. Kate fell asleep before 6 PM tonight and Elizabeth was shortly after that. Anna and Jack were in bed asleep by 7 PM! Good thing, because I might not be that far behind them.

I was surprised to see the kids!

Mile 6 and 7 were easier once I saw them!

John somehow managed to push two strollers. I think he might have made Jack push one

Notice Jack is still wearing his medal from yesterday. I am impressed John had shoes on the girls and snacks packed. I had their clothes all laid out for him.

Love this picture of the girls with our sweet neighbor, Helen!

Elizabeth and Helen

Swings! Finally!

Helen and Anna were buddies today. I have notice that Kate and Elizabeth play together more than Anna with either of them. When Helen is around, I think she is intimated (or scared) of our children. She is the only child and I don't think she is used to all the chaos (and noise)! Today, Helen and Anna played very nicely together. After we cleaned up and were going inside, Helen said she wanted to give Anna a hug. She walked into our garage where the girls were sitting on the steps taking off shoes and she gave Kate a hug..then Elizabeth...then asked where Anna was (she was standing behind a car). Then she gave her a hug!

Carter joined us outside today.

The girls decided to wash their cars with their paint brushes

Jack started to wash John's car

The girls decided to wash the Opfer's car.

Race Time!

Jack had his first race today. It was a kid's race in conjunction with the Cleveland half and full marathon. He ran 100 yards and had a blast. He wore his medal all day (we made him take it off for church, but he had it back on in the car!). He was so proud. I tried to take pictures, but I was at the other end of the football stadium (Brown's stadium) and I couldn't see him. I think I was looking too far to the right! All the sudden he was standing next to me!

Yesterday, the girls and I wen to pick up Jack's packet and number and mine at the expo center.

The girls fell asleep on the way downtown

Excited to run

Watching the three and under children race--if you call it that!

Cheerleaders

The event was associated with Barnum and Bailey's Circus

Walking to the start line

Ready to start

John is standing up on the balcony with the girls video taping Jack

The four to six year-olds ready to start

End of the race!

Walk-a-Thon

Jack had his walk-a-thon at school today. I took the girls to walk with Jack. They enjoyed the freeze pop.

The girls eating lunch at home

Mother's Day

Today, we had a nice family day. After breakfast, I panted some more of my flowers outside and got in a quick run. We went to mass and then to lunch--at BW3s. We realize it is an odd place for a mother's day lunch, but we wanted something loud, quick without too many costumers. Jack got a much needed hair cut (the little curls are gone again from the back of his head--again). Ice cream cones at DQ and playing outside rounded out our day. Our neighbors two doors down from us stopped by for a quick visit and although I have met them once, John has never been home so it was nice to do all the introductions. Both lawyers, they have two girls--age 2.5 years and 15 months and one one the way! Betsy said she will be busy with three kids under the age of three! It is so nice to have all the little kids around us! We are hoping to get the little girls together for a play date soon. Jack and I did another run tonight--same distance as yesterday 0.65 miles at about a 12:30 minute per mile pace (8:08). I might have him hooked on this running thing!

Well, these are my kids on Mother's Day 2012. I put two up, take your pick as to the best one.